As Netflix continues to expand its roster of original programming across South and Southeast Asia, one of its most delayed and closely watched projects appears to be gaining real momentum.
Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, produced by Momina Duraid and billed as Pakistan's first original Netflix production, is now reportedly in its final stretch. The series is expected to premiere by the end of 2026, though some reports suggest it could slip into early 2027.
Originally slated to premiere in June 2025, the series was delayed for further production refinement. Specific reasons behind the postponement were never officially disclosed. Promotional activity is expected to pick up soon, with an official premiere date from Netflix still awaited.
The series is an official adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq's bestselling 2013 Urdu novel of the same name, revolving around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who keeps others at bay after a life-changing incident, and Liza, a talented artist with a troubled past. They meet in Italy. Its title draws from a ghazal by renowned Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Ishtiaq herself adapted the novel for screen, having previously penned Humsafar and Diyar-e-Dil.
Few Pakistani projects have assembled a cast this deep. The lineup includes Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, who starred together in The Legend of Maula Jatt, the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time, as well as Sanam Saeed and Ahad Raza Mir, who featured in Netflix's Resident Evil and the BBC's World on Fire. Rounding out the ensemble are Hamza Ali Abbasi, Bilal Ashraf, Maya Ali, Iqra Aziz, Hania Aamir, Khushhal Khan, Nadia Jamil, Omair Rana, and Samina Ahmed.
Ahad Raza Mir plays the role of Sikandar, while Iqra Aziz brings the character of Leeza to life. Production took place across Italy, the U.K., and Pakistan.
Duraid is no stranger to projects that cross borders. A director and producer born in 1971, she serves as creative head at Hum TV and runs her own company, MD Productions. Many critics credited her 2011 series Humsafar with reviving the golden age of Pakistani dramas, turning Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan into stars. Her Dubai-based Momina Duraid Films FZ LLC is producing the Netflix series, with Duraid serving as showrunner.
The project has been structured as three seasons of 13 episodes each. That ambition speaks to the scope Netflix envisions for the property, and to the scale of investment behind it.
Timing matters here. Netflix has been significantly expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia over the past few years. The streamer is also significantly expanding its South Indian offerings with new Tamil and Telugu originals on the 2026 slate. A Pakistani original fits squarely within that broader push to diversify beyond Hindi-language content from the region. As Netflix expands its presence in the Middle East and North Africa, this Pakistan-themed original signifies a significant step towards diversifying its international content portfolio.
Whether Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo lands before the year is out or drifts into 2027, one thing feels certain. Pakistani drama talent is getting its loudest global audition yet. For an industry long admired across South Asia but rarely platformed at this level, that alone shifts the conversation.
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